County employees and elected officials could carry concealed handguns in a courthouse if a quorum court approves the practice under legislation approved by the Arkansas Senate.

The bill approved by the Senate on a 33-1 vote Tuesday would allow concealed handguns by licensees if they're employees or elected officials whose principal place of employment is within the courthouse, the courthouse annex or other building owned, leased or regularly used by the county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office.

The concealed handguns would only be allowed if approved by that county's quorum court.